Yesterday, Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced three proposals to move drone integration forward at the annual Transportation Research Board meeting, saying, “drones…are well on their way to mainstream deployment.”

The first proposal would allow drones to operate at night and over people without a waiver under certain conditions such as the operator having proper training, completion of approved testing and having a drone equipped with anti-collision lighting.

The new proposal will be published in the Federal Register soon and will open for NPRM (Notice of Proposed Rulemaking). The comment period is for 60 days once posted. The draft proposal can be found here.

The second proposal Chao announced are plans to publish an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that specifically aims at drone safety and security issues. The floor will be open to recommendations on issues that may pose threats to people, aircraft or national security.

“Your feedback is very welcome,” Chao said, “Let us note that the Department is keenly aware that there are legitimate public concerns about drones, concerning safety, security, and privacy…Recent events overseas have underscored concerns about the potential for drones to disrupt aviation and the national airspace. So along with this new proposed rule, the Department is finishing up two other proposals to address drone safety and national security.” Click here for the full story from InterDrone.